Natural gas purge burner and associated systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for purging air and/or one or more inert gases from a flammable gas system, such as a natural gas pipeline, are described. In particular, this application discusses systems and methods for making and using a gas purge burner to purge air/inert gases from a flammable gas system. The gas purge burner includes a burner having a gas inlet and a gas escape vent. The burner also has a continuous ignition mechanism that includes an igniter (such as a pilot light and/or an electric igniter) that is disposed near the gas escape valve. The burner also has a gas outlet that can be disposed between the gas inlet and the gas escape vent and which is also configured to direct gases from the burner to a gas measurement device. The burner can be used to monitor the amount of flammable gas flowing into the burner and to continually ignite and burn off such gas until the stream of gas passing through the burner is substantially pure. Thus, the gas burner can allow a user to perform such tasks while being removed a safe distance from the actual burner, increasing the safety of the user during the pursing process. Other implementations are described.

FIELD

This application relates generally to safety equipment for use withnatural gas pipelines. More specifically, this application relates tosystems and methods for making and using a natural gas purge burner.

BACKGROUND

Before a newly constructed natural gas pipeline is put into service oran existing natural gas pipeline is repaired or extended, the pipelinemust be purged of air. In some instances, this purging process can beperformed by injecting a slug of an inert gas, such as nitrogen, intothe pipeline. In other instances, this purging process can be done bypassing natural gas directly through the pipeline to displace any airthat has accumulated therein. In such instances, however, the air andthe natural gas tend to mix and form flammable mixtures within thepipeline.

When a slug of an inert gas or natural gas is used to purge air from anatural gas pipeline, a portion of the pipeline (such as a shutoffvalve) is typically opened so that the air, inert slug, and/or thenatural gas and air mixture can be forced out of the pipeline. In thisprocess, a user (such as a natural gas technician) allows the inert gasand/or natural gas and air mixture to flow from the pipeline until theuser detects a substantially pure concentration of natural gas flowingthrough the pipeline. Such purging techniques help ensure that asubstantially pure stream of natural gas flows to appliances andequipment that are connected to the pipeline.

This application relates to systems and methods for purging air and/orone or more inert gases from a flammable gas system, such as a naturalgas pipeline. In particular, this application discusses systems andmethods for making and using a gas purge burner to purge air/inert gasesfrom a flammable gas system. The gas purge burner includes a burnerhaving a gas inlet and a gas escape vent. The burner also has acontinuous ignition mechanism that includes an igniter (such as a pilotlight and/or an electric igniter) that is disposed near the gas escapevalve. The burner also has a gas outlet that can be disposed between thegas inlet and the gas escape vent and which is also configured to directgases from the burner to a gas measurement device. The burner can beused to monitor the amount of flammable gas flowing into the burner andto continually ignite and burn off such gas until the stream of gaspassing through the burner is substantially pure. Thus, the gas burnercan allow a user to perform such tasks while being removed a safedistance from the actual burner, increasing the safety of the userduring the pursing process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description can be better understood in light of theFigures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side schematic view of some embodiments of a gas purgeburner system comprising a burner having a single gas escape vent;

FIG. 2 shows a side schematic view of some embodiments of the gas purgeburner system comprising multiple gas escape vents;

FIG. 3 shows a side perspective view of some embodiments of the gaspurge burner comprising one gas escape vent;

FIG. 4 shows a side perspective view of some embodiments of the gaspurge burner comprising multiple gas escape vents;

FIG. 5 shows a top perspective view of some embodiments of the gas purgeburner system comprising a control apparatus;

FIG. 6A shows a top perspective view of some embodiments of the controlapparatus;

FIG. 6B shows a side perspective view of some embodiments of the controlapparatus; and

FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart showing some embodiments of a method forusing the gas purge burner system.

The Figures illustrate specific aspects of the described gas purgeburners and systems and methods for making and using such burners.Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate andexplain the principles of the structures, methods, and principlesdescribed herein. In the drawings, the thickness and size of componentsmay be exaggerated or otherwise modified for clarity. The same referencenumerals in different drawings represent the same element, and thustheir descriptions will not be repeated. Furthermore, well-knownstructures, materials, or operations are not shown or described indetail to avoid obscuring aspects of the described devices. Moreover,the Figures may show simplified or partial views, and the dimensions ofelements in the Figures may be exaggerated or otherwise not inproportion for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description supplies specific details in order to providea thorough understanding. Nevertheless, the skilled artisan willunderstand that the described gas purge burner systems and associatedmethods of making and using the burner systems can be implemented andused without employing these specific details. Indeed, the burnersystems and associated methods can be placed into practice by modifyingthe illustrated devices and methods and can be used in conjunction withany other apparatus and techniques conventionally used in the industry.For example, while description refers to gas pipelines, it could bemodified and used with other pipelines, such as those transportingliquid fuels.

In addition, as the terms on, attached to, or coupled to are usedherein, one object (e.g., a material, a layer, a substrate, etc.) can beon, attached to, or coupled to another object regardless of whether theone object is directly on, attached, or coupled to the other object orthere are one or more intervening objects between the one object and theother object. Also, directions (e.g., above, below, top, bottom, side,up, down, under, over, upper, lower, horizontal, vertical, “x,” “y,”“z,” etc.), if provided, are relative and provided solely by way ofexample and for ease of illustration and discussion and not by way oflimitation. In addition, where reference is made to a list of elements(e.g., elements a, b, c), such reference is intended to include any oneof the listed elements by itself, any combination of less than all ofthe listed elements, and/or a combination of all of the listed elements.

The Figures illustrate some embodiments systems containing and methodsfor making and using the burner systems to purge gas pipelines,including those within in a building, those buried in the ground, andthose above ground. The burner systems can be used to purge any suitablegas from a gas system, including natural gas, butane, propane, air, oneor more inert gases, vapors from liquid fuels, and mixtures thereof. Theburner systems can purge air and/or an inert gas from a pipeline beforethe pipeline is put into service, it can also be used to purge naturalgas (or another flammable gas) from an existing pipeline before thatpipeline is repaired or otherwise modified.

In some methods for purging air and/or inert gases from a natural gaspipeline, a user connects the pipeline to a standard Bunsen burner andthen opens a shutoff valve on the pipeline to allow gases from thepipeline to flow through the Bunsen burner. As the gases flow throughthe Bunsen burner, the user places a gas measurement instrument near amouth of the burner to detect the presence of natural gas. While doingthis, the user continuously attempts to use a match or lighter tomanually ignite any natural gas flowing from the Bunsen burner. The usercontinues with this process until it can be determined that asubstantially pure stream of natural gas is flowing from the pipelineinto the Bunsen burner.

Such methods can be dangerous. When the user leans over (or is otherwiseclose to) the Bunsen burner, the user can be badly burned whileattempting to light the Bunsen burner. Additionally, while trying tolight the Bunsen burner and/or trying to determine the concentration ofnatural gas flowing out of the unlit Bunsen burner, a significant amountof flammable gas can be emitted. As a result, when the user ignites thenatural gas, the user may cause an explosion—especially where the useris purging the pipeline in an enclosed space (e.g., within room or abuilding).

The gas purge burner systems illustrated in the Figures and describedherein can be used to monitor the amount of natural gas (or otherflammable gas) flowing into the gas purge burner and burn off such gasuntil the stream of gas passing into the burner is substantially pure.Moreover, the burner systems allow the user to perform such tasks whilebeing removed a safe distance away from the actual burner. The purgeburner system can be configured with any components to operate in thismanner, including those components depicted in the Figures.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show some embodiments in which the gas purge burner system10 comprises a burner 15, an ignition mechanism 20, a gas outlet 25(which optionally connects or channels gas to a gas measurement device30), a gas line 35, and an adjustable gas inlet valve 40. The burner 15can be any burner that is capable of burning off an impure natural gasmixture (or other flammable gas mixture) until a substantially purestream of gas flows into the burner. Some examples of suitable burnersinclude one or more Bunsen burners, wok burners (e.g., duckbill burners,chimney burners, Mongolian burners, double-ring burners, triple-ringburner, etc.), burners, and/or combinations thereof. By way ofillustration, FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively show that the burner 15 cancomprise a modified Bunsen burner 45 and a wok burner 50.

The burner 15 can be configured with any known component. FIGS. 3 and 4show some embodiments in which the burner 15 comprises one or more gasinlets 55, gas escape vents 60, and air inlets 65. In these embodiments,gases (e.g., inert gas, natural gas, and/or air) from a gas system(e.g., a natural gas pipeline) can flow through the gas inlet 55, intothe burner 15, past the air inlet(s) 65 (which allow air to mix with thegases), and out of the gas escape vent(s) 60, where any flammable gasesmay be ignited and burned.

The burner 15 can be configured to produce any desired amount of heatenergy that allows the burner to purge a gas system. Indeed, someembodiments of the burner are able to produce an amount of heat energythat is greater than about 500 British thermal Units (BTUs), about 1,000BTUs, about 10,000 BTUs, about 100,000 BTUs, about 200,000 BTUs, about1,000,000 BTUs, or about 1,500,000 BTUs. In other embodiments, theamount of heat energy the burner is capable of producing is less than anamount selected from about 2,500,000 BTUs, about 1,200,000 BTUs, about500,000 BTUs, about 200,000 BTUs, and about 110,000 BTUs. In yet otherembodiments, the burner can be capable of producing between about 40,000and about 100,000 BTUs. In still other embodiments, the burner canproduce any combination or sub-ranges of these amounts of heat energy.Further, some embodiments of a wok burner (e.g., burner 50) can beconfigured to produce between about 100,000 BTUs and about 125,000 BTUsand some embodiments of the modified Bunsen burner (e.g., burner 45) maybe configured to produce between about 100,000 BTUs and about 1,000,000BTUs.

The burner 15 can be configured to contain any suitable number of gasescape vents 60, including 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more. For instance,while FIG. 3 shows the burner 15 can comprise a single gas escape vent60, FIG. 4 shows some embodiments in which the burner 15 comprises 17gas escape vents 60.

The vents 60 of the burner 15 can be modified to produce a desiredamount of heat energy. Thus, the width (i.e., diameter) of an orifice ofthe gas escape vents 60 can be modified to be any suitable size thatallows the burner to burn off natural gas that flows through the burner.In some embodiments, the gas escape vent 60 can have an orifice with aninner diameter D (shown in FIG. 3) that is greater than a lengthselected from about 0.5 centimeters (cm), about 2 cm, about 5 cm, andabout 8 cm. In other embodiments, the inner diameter D of the burner canbe smaller than a length selected from about 1 meter (m), about 0.5 m,about 20 cm, about 12 cm, and about 10 cm. In yet other embodiments, thegas escape vent has an orifice with an inner diameter between about 1.5cm and about 5 cm. In still other embodiments, the vents can beconfigured with combination or sub-ranges of these diameters. Thus, theburner can be used with any suitable size of gas pipeline, includingresidential, commercial, and industrial gas pipelines (e.g., natural gaspipelines used in power plants).

The ignition mechanism can ignite natural gas (or another flammable gas)that flows from the gas escape vents. In some embodiments, the ignitionmechanism can substantially continuously ignite natural gas (or anotherflammable gas) that flows from the gas escape vent 60 and thus comprisesa continuous ignition mechanism 20. Thus, the ignition mechanism cancomprise any suitable element or elements that continuously,continually, and/or on demand emit heat, fire, sparks, and/or arcs ofelectricity near the gas escape vent to light flammable gases flowingfrom the vent. In some embodiments, the ignition mechanism can compriseany suitable igniter, such as an electric igniter, a pilot light, aspark igniter, or any combination thereof. By way of illustration, FIG.2 shows that the igniter 70 can comprise an electric igniter 75 and FIG.4 shows that the igniter 70 can comprise a pilot light 80.

Where the igniter 70 comprises an electric igniter 75, the igniter canbe configured to allow the user to light flammable gas flowing from theburner 15 without requiring the user to be directly adjacent to theburner as it is lit. Some examples of suitable electric igniters includeone or more piezoelectric igniters, electric matches, motorized flintwheel igniters, hot surface igniter, glow plugs, heated bridge wires, orcombinations thereof. By way of illustration, FIG. 2 shows the electricigniter 75 can comprise a piezoelectric igniter 85.

Where the continuous ignition mechanism 20 comprises an electric igniter75, it can comprise a power source (e.g., a battery, a plug connected toan electrical power grid, etc.) to power the ignition mechanism, aswitch to selectively activate and/or deactivate the electric igniter,and/or wires to electrically connect the power source to the electricigniter. FIG. 2 shows some embodiments in which the ignition mechanism20 comprises a power source 90 (e.g., a battery) and a switch 95 thatare remotely connected to the electric igniter 75 via wires 100. Thus,in these embodiments, the user is able to light the burner 15(continuously, continually, and/or on demand) while being a safedistance away from the burner itself.

Where the continuous ignition mechanism 20 comprises a pilot light 80,the pilot light can be configured to light natural gas flowing from theburner 15 while the user is located a safe distance away from theburner. By way of illustration, FIGS. 1 and 3 show the pilot light 80can have one or more nozzles 105 that are configured to direct a flametowards (or in the vicinity of) one or more gas escape vents 60. Whilethe pilot light 80 can be fueled by any suitable fuel source, FIG. 1shows some embodiments in which the ignition mechanism 20 comprises aportable container 110 of a flammable gas, such as butane, propane,and/or combinations thereof. In such embodiments, the pilot light can belit and remain ignited, even when inert gases and/or relatively largeamounts of air are passing through the burner.

Where the pilot light 80 is fueled by a container 110 of a flammablegas, the container can be connected to the pilot light using anyconnection. Examples of these connections include through the use oftubing (pilot light tubing), such as polyethylene tubing, polyvinylchloride tubing, stainless-steel mesh reinforced tubing, steel tubing,copper tubing, yellow brass tubing, ductile iron tubing, aluminumtubing, corrugated stainless steel tubing, and/or combinations thereof.In some embodiments, the pilot light is connected to the containerthrough a flexible stainless steel reinforced tubing.

The pilot light tubing can be any suitable length that allows it toconnect the pilot light 80 to the container. In some embodiments, thepilot light tubing is longer than a length selected from about 1 cm,about 0.5 m, about 1 meter, and about 2 meters. In other embodiments,the pilot light tubing is shorter than a length selected from about 16m, about 8 m, about 4 m, and about 3 m. In yet other embodiments, thepilot light tubing can be between about 1.6 m and about 3.8 m. In stillother embodiments, the pilot light tubing can be any combination orrange of these lengths. Thus, the user can control the pilot light whilebeing safely removed from the burner.

In some embodiments, as discussed above, the burner 15 optionallycomprises a gas outlet 25 that allows gases to exit the burner beforereaching the gas escape vent 60. In such embodiments, the gas outlet canbe configured to allow gases to be channeled away from the burner and toa gas measurement device 30. The gas outlet 25 can be disposed in anysuitable location on the gas purge burner system 10 that allows it tooperate as an outlet. In some embodiments, the gas outlet is disposedbetween the burner's air inlet(s) 65 and the adjustable gas inlet valve40. FIG. 3 shows some embodiments in which the gas outlet 25 is disposed(e.g., comprises a T-joint or is tapped in the burner) between theburner's air inlets 65 and the burner's gas inlet 55. Accordingly, thegas outlet can channel gases from the gas system to a gas measurementdevice 30 before such gases mix with air that enters the burner 15through its air inlets.

The gas outlet can comprise one or more connectors (e.g., treadedcouplings, quick-connect couplings, and/or barbed couplings) forconnecting the outlet to a conduit 115 (see FIGS. 1 through 4) that iscapable of channeling gases from the burner 15 to a gas measurementdevice 30. The gas outlet 25 (and/or conduit 115) is optionallyconnected to one or more valves (or gas measurement device valves) toselectively allow and/or prevent gases from the burner 15 from passingout of the gas outlet and/or the conduit. For example, FIG. 1 shows thata pet cock 130 can be disposed near the gas outlet 25 and FIG. 6A showsthat a pet cock 130 can be disposed near an end of the conduit 115.Accordingly, by opening the pet cock, the operator can allow gases fromthe burner to flow to the gas measurement device. In contrast, byclosing the pet cock, the user can prevent flammable gases from exitingthe pet cock when the user is not measuring a characteristic of gasflowing into the burner.

The gas outlet can be connected (i.e., directly or indirectly) to acoupler, a hose, piping, and/or any other component that allows thegases exiting the burner through the gas outlet to be channeled to a gasmeasurement device 30. For example, FIG. 6A shows that the conduit 115extending from the gas outlet 25 (not shown in FIG. 6A) can be connectedto the pet cock 130 which, in turn, is coupled to a flexible hose 132that can be used to direct gases to the gas measurement device 30.

The conduit 115 can be configured with the desired safety in mind. Insome embodiments, the conduit can comprise any material that can be usedto create the pilot light tubing 112, discussed above. Similarly, theconduit can have any suitable length (as discussed above with respect tothe pilot light tubing), having any suitable inner diameter, and/orbeing flexible or solid. In some embodiments, the conduit comprisesflexible tubing that is between about 1.5 m and about 4.5 meters. Thus,the user can measure characteristics of gases passing into the burner 15while being safely removed from the burner.

When present, the gas measurement device can comprise any suitableinstrument that measures one or more characteristics of such gases. Inone example, the gas measurement device can measure the amount (e.g.,percent, ratio, concentration, etc.) of one or more flammable gases(e.g., natural gas), oxygen, inert gases (e.g., nitrogen), and/or othergases flowing through the gas outlet 25. FIG. 5 shows some embodimentswhere the gas measurement device 30 can comprise a combustible gasindicator 120, which is capable of determining the percent of the totalamount of gas reaching the device that is flammable. FIG. 6A showsembodiments where the gas measurement indicator 30 comprises a pressuregauge 125 (e.g., a water column gauge) and/or a combustible gasindicator 120.

The gas line 35 can connect the burner 15 to the adjustable inlet valve40. Accordingly, the gas line can comprise any suitable material thatcan be used to create the pilot light tubing 112, discussed above. Thegas line can also configured with any suitable length, as discussedabove with respect to the pilot light tubing, with any suitable innerdiameter, and can be flexible or solid. In some embodiments, the gasline comprises flexible tubing that is between about 1.5 m and about 4.5meters. Thus, the user can control the adjustable pressure valve whilebeing safely removed from the burner.

The burner system 10 also contains one or more gas adjustable inletvalves 40. Some examples of adjustable gas inlets include a plug, agate, and a ball gas inlet valve. The gas inlet valve can selectivelyopen and close and is therefore capable of reducing and/or regulatingthe pressure of the gas that flows from a gas system into the burner 15.In some embodiments, the inlet valve can receive gas from the gas systemat a pressure that is higher than about 27 inches of water column(inches WC), about 100 inches WC, about 1,500 inches WC, and about 3,000inches WC (and any combination or range of these pressures) and thenrelease such gases into the gas line 35 at a pressure that is lower thana pressure of about 130 inches WC, about 40 inches WC, about 20 inchesWC, about 10 inches WC, about 7 inches WC, and about 5 inches WC (andany combination or range of these pressures). For example, when using a125 PSI valve, the pressure at the burner can be range from as little asabout 3 inches WC to as much as 125 PSI, depending on the rating of theburner.

In some configurations, the burner 15 can comprise a plurality of legsto raise the burner to a desired level. In other configurations, asshown in FIG. 5, the burner system 10 can optionally comprise a controlapparatus 135. The control apparatus can carry attachment couplers (orcouplings) that allow the burner to be quickly attached to theadjustable inlet valve 40, the container 110 of flammable gas (e.g., viathe pilot light tubing 115), the power source 90 for the electricigniter 75, and/or the conduit 115 that directs gases from the burner toa gas measurement device 30. FIG. 5 shows that the control apparatus 135can comprise a support structure 140 and one or more couplings 145. Thesupport structure can comprise a container (such as a tool box, a tray,a tote box, and/or a bag) which can hold one or more couplings 145 andother objects, such as the gas measurement device 30, the container 110of flammable gas, etc. FIGS. 5 through 6B show some embodiments in whichthe support structure 140 comprises tote box 150.

The couplings 145 can be configured to connect the continuous ignitionmechanism 20 to the container 110 of flammable gas and/or the powersource 90; to connect the gas line 35 to the adjustable inlet valve 40;and/or to direct gases from the conduit 115 to the gas measurementdevice 30. Examples of some couplings include one or more electricalconnectors (e.g., plugs or sockets), female sleeve-type couplings withmating nipples, pneumatic couplers, twist-lock couplings, self-lockingcouplings, plug-in connectors, quick-couplings, express couplings,barbed nipples, threaded tubing, dual cone couplings, and combinationsthereof.

FIG. 6A shows several other features of the control apparatus 135. Thiscontrol apparatus can comprise a first female sleeve-type coupling 155to connect the gas line 35 to the inlet valve 40. The control apparatus135 can also comprise a second female sleeve-type coupling 160 toconnect conduit 115 from the gas outlet 25 (not shown in FIG. 6A) to oneor more gas measurement devices 30 (e.g., the pressure gauge 125). Thecontrol apparatus 135 can also comprise a third female sleeve-typecoupling 165 to connect the pilot light 80 (not shown in FIG. 6A) to thecontainer 110 of flammable gas (e.g., via the pilot light tubing 112).The control apparatus 135 also contains a piping that extends past theinlet valve 40 to an end (not shown) that is configured to be connected(e.g., via treading, a quick release coupler, etc.) to a gas pipeline.FIG. 6B shows that the gas line 35, conduit 115, and/or pilot lighttubing (not shown in that figure) can each comprise a correspondingmating nipple 172.

The burner system 10 can be made of any material that allows it tofunction as described herein. In some embodiments, the burner system(i.e., the burner 15) includes one or more metals (e.g., aluminum, iron,steel, brass, etc.), ceramics, resins, polymers, resinoids, orcombinations thereof.

The burner system 10 described herein can be made using any process thatforms the structures described herein. By way of example, the burnersystem can be formed through a process involving molding, extruding,casting, cutting, etching, grinding, stamping, drilling, welding,bonding, tapping, dying, screwing, twisting, bending, assembling, and/orany other suitable process.

FIG. 7 illustrates some embodiments of a method 200 for using the burnersystem. The method shown in FIG. 7 can be modified in any suitablemanner, including by rearranging, adding to, removing, and/or modifyingany portion or portions of the method. At box 205, the method 200 beginsby connecting the burner 15 to a gas pipeline (e.g., via an attachmentconnected to the adjustable gas inlet valve 40). The method continues asthe user ignites the continuous ignition mechanism 20 (e.g., the pilotlight 80), as shown in box 210.

Next, box 215 shows the user can open a shut-off valve (not shown) onthe gas pipeline to release gas therefrom to the adjustable inlet valve40. At this point, box 220 shows the user can then open the adjustableinlet valve. In so doing, the user can open the inlet valve 40 to allowany pressure of gas from the gas pipeline to flow into the burner 15. Insome embodiments, the user can regulate the inlet valve so that gasesentering the burner have a pressure of less than about 27 inches WC,about 12 inches WC, about 8 inches WC, or about 7 inches WC. In otherembodiments, the user can regulate the inlet valve so that gasesentering the burner have a pressure greater than about 0.1 inches WC,about 2 inches WC, about 4 inches WC, or about 5 inches WC. In yet otherembodiments, the user can adjust the inlet valve to allow any range orcombination of these pressures to enter the burner. For example, theuser can adjust the inlet valve to allow gases having a pressure ofbetween about 3 and about 9 inches WC, and more specifically, betweenabout 5 and about 7 inches WC, to enter the burner. While thesepressures can be used for some burners, other burners can burn at anypressure as long as the ratio of orifice to primary air is for thatpressure and all fittings are rated for that pressure.

As the gases pass through the burner 15 at the desired pressure, box 225shows that any flammable gases can be ignited by the continuous ignitionmechanism 20. Additionally, box 230 shows that the user can observe thecharacteristics of (e.g., percentage of flammable gas in) the gases thatenter the burner. Once the user determines that gases entering into theburner 15 have one or more desired characteristics, such as aconcentration of more than about 90% natural gas, box 235 shows the usercan shut the inlet valve 40 and the shut-off value that closes the gaspipeline. Box 240 shows the user can then detach the burner system 10from the pipeline and begin using the pipeline to channel natural gas toa desired location (e.g., an appliance).

The burner system 10 has several useful features. In someconfigurations, because the burner system allows the user to ignite theburner and/or measure one or more characteristics of gases passingthrough the burner while being a safe distance away from the burner, theburner system can provide a safe way to purge gas pipelines. In someconfigurations, since the burner 15 can continuously ignite anyflammable gases that flow from the gas escape vent 60, the burnerreduces the amount of flammable gas that is released into the ambientair, thereby reducing the incidence of explosion and allowing the burnersystem to be used indoors. In some configurations, by substantiallycontinuously burning natural gas that flows through the burner, theburner system releases less natural gas into the environment than somegas purge methods and making the burner system 10 more environmentallyfriendly than such gas purge methods.

A fourth useful feature is that in some configurations the burner 15 caneasily be modified (e.g., can be configured to have a large orifice) toburn large amounts of natural gas and can be used to purge large volumesof gases from a gas system in a relatively short period of time. Thus,the burner can greatly reduce the amount of time needed to purge a gaspipeline, saving money by reducing labor costs and by allowing thepipeline to become operational sooner that it could through the use ofsome purging equipment.

A fifth useful feature is that in some configurations the gas outlet 25channels gases to the gas measurement device 30 before such gases reachthe gas escape vent 60. Thus, the user can measure the concentration ofcombustible gas flowing into the burner 15 at all times, and not justwhen the burner is unlit. Accordingly, the user can accurately determinethe concentration of natural gas flowing into the burner, even when theburner is ignited.

In addition to any previously indicated modification, numerous othervariations and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilledin the art without departing from the spirit and scope of thisdescription, and appended claims are intended to cover suchmodifications and arrangements. Thus, while the information has beendescribed above with particularity and detail in connection with what ispresently deemed to be the most practical and preferred aspects, it willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerousmodifications, including, but not limited to, form, function, manner ofoperation, and use may be made without departing from the principles andconcepts set forth herein. Also, as used herein, the examples andembodiments, in all respects, are meant to be illustrative only andshould not be construed to be limiting in any manner.

1. A gas purge burner, comprising: a gas inlet; a gas escape vent; anair inlet located between the gas inlet and the gas escape vent; a gasoutlet located between the gas inlet and the air inlet; and asubstantially continuous ignition mechanism having an igniter disposednear the gas escape vent.
 2. The gas purge burner of claim 1, whereinthe igniter comprises a pilot light and the ignition mechanism furthercomprises a portable container having flammable gas.
 3. The gas purgeburner of claim 1, wherein the igniter comprises an electric igniter. 4.The gas purge burner of claim 1, wherein the gas outlet directs gasesfrom the burner to a gas measurement device.
 5. A gas purge burner,comprising: a burner comprising a gas inlet and a gas escape vent; asubstantially continuous ignition mechanism having an igniter disposednear the gas escape vent; a gas line extending from the gas inlet to anadjustable gas inlet valve; a gas outlet disposed between the gas inletand the adjustable inlet valve; and a conduit extending from the gasoutlet to direct gases from the burner to a gas measurement device. 6.The burner of claim 5, wherein the igniter comprises an electricigniter.
 7. The burner of claim 5, wherein the igniter comprises a pilotlight.
 8. The burner of claim 7, wherein the ignition mechanismcomprises a portable container with a flammable gas.
 9. The burner ofclaim 5, wherein the burner comprises a plurality of gas escape vents.10. The burner of claim 5, wherein the gas outlet is disposed between anair inlet defined in the burner and the gas inlet.
 11. The burner ofclaim 5, wherein the gas measurement device detects the presence ofnatural gas in the gases that flow from the burner.
 12. The burner ofclaim 5, wherein the conduit is attached to the gas measurement deviceand the gas measurement device detects a pressure of gas flowing intothe burner.
 13. The burner of claim 5, wherein the conduit directs thegases from the burner to both a gas pressure indicator measuring apressure of gases flowing into the burner as well as a gas measurementdevice detecting a concentration of natural gas in the gases that flowinto the burner.
 14. A gas purge burning system, comprising: a burnercomprising: a gas inlet and a gas escape vent; an ignition mechanismhaving an igniter disposed near the gas escape vent; a gas lineextending from the gas inlet to an adjustable gas inlet valve; a gasoutlet disposed between the gas inlet and the adjustable inlet valve;and a conduit extending from the gas outlet to direct gases from theburner to a gas measurement device; and a control apparatus holding theadjustable inlet valve and a connector to attach the conduit to a gasmeasurement device valve.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein thecontrol apparatus further comprises a portable container containing aflammable gas.
 16. The system of claim 14, wherein the control apparatuscomprises a first coupling to connect the adjustable inlet valve to thegas line.
 17. A method for purging gas from a system, comprising:attaching a burner having a substantially continuous ignition mechanismto a gas system; igniting the ignition mechanism; monitoring aconcentration of a flammable gas flowing from the gas system into theburner; and allowing gases from the gas system to pass through theburner until a desired amount of a flammable gas is detected as exitingfrom the gas system.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the burnercomprises: a gas inlet; a gas escape vent; an igniter for the ignitionmechanism, the igniter disposed near the gas escape vent; a gas lineextending from the gas inlet to an adjustable gas inlet valve; and a gasoutlet disposed between the gas inlet and the adjustable inlet valve.19. The method of claim 18, wherein a conduit extends from the gasoutlet to direct gases from the burner to a gas measurement device. 20.The method of claim 19, wherein the gas measurement device measures apressure of the gases that flow into the burner.
 21. The method of claim19, wherein the gas measurement device determines a concentration of aflammable gas that flows to the burner.
 22. The method of claim 17,wherein the ignition mechanism comprises an electric igniter and a pilotlight that is fed by a container containing a flammable gas.
 23. Acontrol apparatus for a gas purge burner, the control apparatuscomprising: a support structure; an adjustable gas inlet valve attachedto the support structure; wherein the inlet valve is attached to a firstcoupling that connects a pressure valve to a gas line that extends to agas purge burner and wherein the inlet valve is attached to a secondcoupling that connects the inlet valve to a gas system; and a gasmeasurement valve regulating the flow of gases from the gas purge burnerto a gas measurement device, wherein the gas measurement valve isattached to a third coupling connecting a connector to a conduit thatextends from a gas outlet disposed between a gas escape vent of theburner and the adjustable inlet valve.
 24. The control apparatus ofclaim 23, further comprising a fourth coupling that is attached to thesupport structure, wherein the fourth coupling connects a container of aflammable gas to a pilot light disposed near the gas escape vent of theburner.
 25. The control apparatus of claim 23, further comprising afourth coupling for connecting an electric igniter of the burner to apower sourced disposed at the control apparatus.